Lotterywest aids new dog adoption centre

• Premier officially opens the new Adoption and Education Centre at the Dogs' Refuge Home in Shenton Park• Lotterywest grant of $1.2 million supported construction of the building

Premier Colin Barnett has officially opened the new Adoption and Education Centre at the Dogs' Refuge Home in Shenton Park.

The new building is the most significant project undertaken by the Dogs' Refuge Home in the last 30 years and will provide for greater management, support and care for dog welfare needs in Western Australia.

The 650sqm new building will house a reception area, daily accommodation for staff and volunteers, space for adoption assessments, substantially increased office and storage facilities and an education centre to support responsible dog care and ownership.

Mr Barnett said the building would enable the organisation to run more efficiently by providing significantly improved accommodation and a central support system for the general public, staff and volunteers.

"While the organisation already cares for 150 unwanted and abandoned dogs at any one time and re-homes 1,400 dogs annually, the new building will allow for an additional 100 dogs to re-homed in its first year of operation, with this figure expected to increase in subsequent years," the Premier said.

"The adoption centre will offer a safe and accessible place for the public to meet the dogs and for adoption assessments to be conducted; while the education centre will deliver an increased suite of education programs promoting responsible dog ownership and the improved care and welfare of companion dogs."

The Dogs' Refuge Home is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1935, making it one of the oldest animal welfare organisations in Australia. It employs 30 staff and is supported by a team of more than 300 volunteers. The new Adoption and Education Centre is part of a major redevelopment project by the Dogs' Refuge Home which will deliver improved facilities such as new kennel blocks, a laundry and dog kitchen.

The total cost of the building was $1.35 million, with Lotterywest contributing $1.2 million and the Dogs' Refuge Home contributing the remainder.

Fact File

• Construction for the building started in March and ended in October• The new Adoption and Education Centre's 650sqm of floor area will house significantly improved accommodation for the general public, staff and volunteers• In 2015-16, Lotterywest distributed $281.41 million to beneficiaries